North Korea is facing possibly its worst drought in 50 years , state media reported this week .

May is on track to be the driest since 1962 , with rainfall of less than a quarter of an inch -LRB- 2-5 mm -RRB- recorded in major cities , including the capital , Pyongyang , the Korean Central News Agency said .

The dry conditions are expected to continue into early June , North Korea 's Rodong newspaper reported , citing a state weather official .

Rain during the last 30 days has been lower than normal in the North , according to Jang Hyun-sik with the South Korean Meteorological Administration .

`` On average , it is supposed to rain in the range of 70-90 mm -LRB- 2.75 to 3.5 inches -RRB- during this period , '' Jang said , noting that South Korean forecasters do not directly communicate with their counterparts in the North .

Rodong reported that the drought has delayed the planting of corn and has already damaged crops like wheat , barley and potatoes , but said irrigation `` can fight off the damage . ''

North Korea 's food shortages are well documented . The World Food Program says more than 6 million people in the reclusive nation do n't have enough to eat .

South Korean Unification Ministry 's spokesman Kim Hyung-suk Seoul is open to allowing private organizations to provide humanitarian aid to the North .

No food aid is likely to come from the United States . Washington canceled its plan for food shipments after Pyongyang launched a rocket on April 13 .

North Korea said the launch was to put a satellite into orbit , but much of the international community saw it as a cover up for testing its ballistic missile technology .

The move torpedoed a deal reached in February under which Pyongyang agreed to suspend its nuclear activities in exchange for food aid shipments .

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This could be the driest May in North Korea since 1962

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Less than a quarter inch has been recorded in major cities

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Little food aid is expected from South Korea and the United States